- iPhone X has a newer screen technology known as OLED, which is thinner, lighter and brighter
- It will release two versions, a 64GB version, starting at $999 (£999), and a 256GB version for $1,149 (£1,149)
- Apple also unveiled a new iPhone 8 and a larger 8 Plus with upgrades to cameras, displays and speakers
- Those phones, Apple said, will shoot pictures with better colors and less distortion, particularly in low-light
- It also unveiled a new Apple Watch with cellular service and an new version of its Apple TV streaming device
Following months of anticipation, Apple has finally unveiled its souped-up ‘anniversary’ phone, the iPhone X.
The $999 (£999 in the UK) iPhone X features an edge-to-edge display with richer colours, and facial recognition software called Face ID that allows users to unlock the phone without the need for a fingerprint reader or physical home button.
Apple has also revealed the new iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, alongside an upgrade to the Apple Watch and a higher-definition Apple TV.
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, took to the stage of the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple’s new Apple Park ‘spaceship’ campus – widely considered to be the final product designed by Jobs, who died in 2011.
He began with a tribute to Steve Jobs: ‘It was only fitting that Steve should open his theater,’ he said.
‘There’s not a day we don’t think of him, memories have come rushing back as we prepared for today. It’s taken time, but we can now reflect with joy instead of sadness. We dedicate this theater because we loved him, and he loved days like this.’
‘We’re here today to talk about some incredible products.’
iPhone X
Having revealed several new devices throughout the presentation Tim Cook unveiled the much anticipated iPhone X (pronounced iPhone Ten).
Cook said: ‘We’re not stopping there, we have one more thing.
‘Our teams have been hard at work for years on the future of the smartphone.
‘Now, ten years later it is only fitting we are here, in this place on this day that will set the path for for technology for the next decade.’
A video then showed the iPhone X in action.
Phil Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple explained: ‘It is all screen, it is beautiful to look at, incredible to hold. There has never been anything like it.’
The phone features a glass front and back, with a band around the edge made from surgical grade stainless steel, as well as an edgeless display.
The iPhone will be dust and waterproof at a microscopic level.
iPhone X has an all new display, called the ‘super retina display.’
On the diagonal, the display is 5.8 inch, with over two million pixels – the highest resolution and pixel density ever seen in an iPhone.
It also features an OLED display.
Schiller said: ‘It’s the point of this technology that matters – it’s easier to use, and more intuitive.’
With the phone, users will be able to raise it to wake, or tap the screen to wake – because Apple has ditched the home button.
Now, to reach the home screen, users now swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
‘It’s truly amazing how much the iPhone impacts the world every day. We want to create something so immersive the hardware disappears.
‘Over the past decade we’ve pushed ford with innovation after innovation, bringing us to this moment. We have huge iPhone news for you today.’
Phil Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple, came to the stage to reveal the new iPhone 8 and 8+.
Schiller said: ‘iPhone 8 is a huge step forward for iPhone.
‘These are a new generation of iPhone, and they improve on everything we love about iPhone.’
The smartphones have glass in both the front and back, and come in silver, space grey and gold.
It is made from aluminium, with steel-reinforced glass.
Schiller said: ‘This glass is the most durable ever seen in a smartphone.’
The iPhone 8 has a 4.7 inch retina HD display, while the 8+ has a 5.5 inch retina HD display.
The phones feature an A11 bionic chip – the most powerful and smartest chip ever in a smartphone.
In terms of camera, the iPhone 8+ has dual 12MP sensor cameras, providing 83 per cent more light, with deeper pixels.
A new Portrait Lighting mode can alter lighting in an image, using artificial intelligence to change lighting over the face.
Schiller said: ‘These aren’t filters, they are real time analysis of light on the subject’s face.’
The smartphones will also feature new 40K 60 frames per second video mode, and a Slo-Mo option that runs at 240 frames a second.
The cameras are calibrated for augmented reality (AR).
For example, Schiller explained that the MLB app will be able to show player information if you hold up phone at a baseball game.
Both the iPhone 8 and 8+ will have wireless charging built in.
Schiller joked: ‘I can’t describe how much nicer it is not to have to plug in a cable!’
Wireless charging will work with hundreds of already available chargers, from Ikea to Ford, although Apple will also sell third party wireless chargers in stores.
The iPhone 8 and 8+ will each come in two versions – a 64GB, with a second at 256GB.
iPhone 8 will start at $699 (£699), and iPhone 8+ will start at $799 (£799).
They will both be available on September 22nd.
Apple Watch
Tim Cook took to the stage again to speak about the Apple Watch.
He said: ‘Apple Watch was designed to keep people motivated, since the launch of series 2, it has grown over 50 per cent year on year.
‘Apple Watch is now the number one watch in the world, overtaking Rolex.’
Jeff Williams, COO of Apple, then revealed the firm’s updated Watch.
The software has been redesigned with new features for exercises and the ability to link to gym machines.
Williams said: ‘We want to help use the heart rate sensor to help more people.’
The watch can now measure resting heart rate, and recovery heart rate, and will also alert users if their heart rate becomes elevated.
Watch OS4 will be available on September 19th.
Apple has also revealed the series 3 Apple Watch with cellular capabilities built in.
Williams said: ‘Now you can go anywhere with just your Apple Watch.
‘You can leave your phone at home, and be reached if needed. The number will be the same as your iPhone.
‘You will be able to stream 40 million songs from Apple Music using the connection.’
The Series 3 watch has new dual core processor, and comes built-in with Apple’s smart assistant, Siri.
The display itself becomes the antenna, and the sim card is integrated into the electronics.
Williams added: ‘Its really magical to make a call on a device this small.’
KEY FEATURES OF APPLE’S ‘SPACESHIP CAMPUS’
Appearing as a giant saucer, the Silicon Valley site near the 280 Highway will be home to 13,000 Apple employees.
It features jogging and cycling trails, with more than a thousand bikes kept on site at all times, which staff can use to make their way around.
The Spaceship has 360-degree curved glass fronted walls and central courtyard as well as a 1,000-seater auditorium, a gym and 300,000 square feet of ‘research’ space.
Apple Campus 2 also has underground parking hidden from view, meaning 80 per cent of the site can be covered in trees. The site was previously owned by Hewlett Packard and the majority of the area is currently covered in asphalt.
Elsewhere underground, the auditorium will be where Apple’s CEO Tim Cook will present the company’s keynotes ahead of product launches.
This auditorium is covered with a circular glass pavilion that will also be an access point for employees and guests.
Natural gas, primarily, provides the building’s power and the local energy grid will only be accessed in emergencies.
The Spaceship has 360-degree curved glass fronted walls and central courtyard as well as a 1,000-seater auditorium, a gym and 300,000 square feet of ‘research’ space
The glass structure is also fitted with solar panels.
The circular, four-storey building is around a mile in circumference and a third of a mile wide and was recently described by the San Fransisco Weekly as a ‘massive glass doughnut’.
The building stays eco-friendly with natural ventilation that works instead of air-conditioning for 70 per cent of the year, low energy LED lighting where natural light doesn’t reach, and on-site recycling.
Williams demonstrated making a call on stage to someone paddleboarding, and the call could be heard clearly.
He joked: ‘It’s just darn close to magic.’
The Series 3 will be available in gold, silver, space grey and ceramic grey.
There will be two versions available – one without cellular capabilities, that will cost $329 (£329 in the UK), and one with, that will be $399 (£399 in the UK).
Apple TV
Apple TV has also been given an update.
Tim Cook took to the stage once again, and said: ‘Apple TV has changed the way we watch TV.
Apple announced a new Apple TV device at today’s event. The upgrade starts with two big advancements in picture technology, the first is 4K capability, the second is HDR capability. While 4K increases the number of pixels, HDR improves the quality of pixel
‘There have been some key development that changed TV, from colour to HD. Now, we’re at the next major inflection point. I’m so excited to introduce Apple TV 4K.’
Apple is also adding HDR capabilities to Apple TV.
Eddy Cue, senior vice president of Internet Software and Services explained: ‘4K is about the number of pixels, HDR is about better pixels.’
The Apple TV will contain an A10x chip – the same as is in the iPad Pro.
The firm will be working with large studios to bring 4K movies to iTunes – all which will be available at the same prices as HD rental.
Apple has also been working with Netflix and Amazon to bring their content to Apple TV in 4K and HDR.
The Apple TV app is also coming to the UK and seven other countries.
Cue added: ‘Later this year, Apple TV will do even more.’
Apple TV will support Live TV, and will even send users notifications when a game is starting.
The 4K Apple TV will cost $179-$199 (£179-£199), and will ship from September 22nd.
The new Apple TV top-set box is set up with 4K and HDR capabilities (right hand screen) giving a high quality picture. Thanks to new deals with film studios and sports broadcasters, the new Apple TV will offer live streamed sporting events and a host of HD films on the TV app store
iOS 11: KEY FEATURES
Control Centre redesign
The control centre design has been given an upgrade, and can now be seen on a single page, with greater depth on a 3D slider.
Users can use 3D Touch to access more controls.
The lock screen and notification centre have also been combined, so users can swipe between them, with widgets on the left, and camera on the right.
Files App
Apple has added a new ‘Files’ app to iPhone in the iOS 11 update.
The app allows users to access all their documents in one place, including those stored on the iCloud drive, or with third party storage providers, such as Dropbox.
Map updates, including a ‘do not disturb while driving mode’
Apple Maps now includes floor plans of shopping malls and airports, so users can plan their expedition.
The navigation tool also shows lane guidance, and the upper speed limit while you are on the road.
Apple has also launched a ‘Do Not Disturb While Driving’ feature that will automatically prevent notifications from popping up when it senses that you are in the car.
The feature can detect when your phone is connected to a car using Bluetooth or a cable, or if the car is moving, and withhold any notifications that could distract you, including text messages, WhatsApp messages and news updates.
The iPhone screen also locks to prevent drivers from accessing their apps while driving.
The feature is optional for passengers in the car, who can choose to disable it if they would like.
3D Animated emoji
iOS 11 comes with 3D animated emoji, called ‘Animoji.’
The animated emoji use facial tracking as well as your voice to create expressive animated messages.
Shared Wi-Fi
The days of having to look for your Wi-Fi password to give a friend are now a thing of the past in iOS 11.
Apple has introduced a new shared Wi-Fi feature that lets users send their router’s password to another person’s handset.
Devices need to be near each other and unlocked to connect.
Camera updates
Apple has added High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC video), offering more efficient compression.
Image quality has also been improved with better low light performance, optical image stabilisation, true tone flash and HDR.
Video recording also now comes in Full HD and 4K.
As for Live Photos, in iOS 11, you can trim them, as well as mark any part of the video as your key photo.
With Live Photos users can also loop them, or view on long exposure.
‘Portrait Lighting’ mode has also been upgraded, enhancing the camera’s Portrait Mode which simulates depth.
Messages app updates
The Messages app has also been given an update, with a redesign to the app’s draw, allowing easier access to stickers, GIFs and more.
iMessages in iCloud now automatically synchronise across devices, but remain end-to-end encrypted.
The Apple Pay app is also now available as an app within the draw in Messages.
Apple has made Apple Music smarter, and the app will now learn your tastes, so you can ask Siri to play something you’d like
Updates to Apple Music
Users can now find out what their friends are listening to from within the Music app.
But if you’re not so keen on people being able to see what you’re listening to then there’s good news, as you can choose whether your profile is public or private.
Apple has also made Apple Music smarter, and the app will now learn your tastes, so you can ask Siri to play something you’d like.
Siri
Siri has been given a new American voice that is more expressive, in both the male and female form, with a new visual interface.
The smart assistant can quickly translate English into Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish, with more language options coming soon.
What Siri learns on one device is also now synced across all devices in iOS 11, but this is still private thanks to end-to-end encryption.
App Store redesign
Apple has completely redesigned the App Store in iOS 11.
A new tab, called ‘Today’ now shows apps and stories about developers on a daily basis, while a ‘Games’ tab shows everything that is happening with games, and in-app purchases, such as new levels or upgrades.
Apps also has its own tab, with dedicated features and charts for each app.
Augmented reality
ARKit has been introduced as part of iOS 11, letting users have augmented reality capabilities in apps such as Pokemon Go.
The augmented reality technology uses the phone’s sensors to detect things like depth of field, ambient light and motion sensors in order to naturally place digital objects in a real-world scene.
New wallpapers
iOS 11 has 16 new wallpapers – three exclusive to the new iPhone.
Wallpapers include several renditions of the retro Apple six color logo, as well as six flower wallpapers, and three space wallpapers.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4876714/The-wait-Apple-unveils-flagship-iPhone-X.html